- Safiu Kehinde
No fewer than three people have been killed in Kassa village along the Barkin Ladi–Mangu axis of Plateau State following a reprisal attack over the murder of a Fulani herder.
This is reportedly coming hours after a Fulani herder was killed by Berom Militia and 40 animals were reportedly rustled in the area.
According to Zagazola Makama, security sources revealed that the latest incident occurred at about 12:40 a.m. on Friday, when troops of Sector 4, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), responded to reports of sporadic shootings in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
The troops’ swift intervention reportedly forced the gunmen, suspected by security sources to be Fulani militias, to flee the area.
A search of the location led to the recovery of three bodies identified as Ishaya Pam, 48; Barnabas Gyang, 27; and Daniel Mutuwal, 30.
Also recovered by the troops was an abandoned AK-47 rifle loaded with nine rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
Some suspected members of Berom militia were alleged to have triggered the reprial with an attack on the late herder on Thursday.
In the earlier incident, troops of Sector 8, Sub-Sector 81, Gyambwas, responded at about 3:55 p.m. on Sept. 24 to a report of cattle rustling and an attack on a herder.
On arrival at the location, the troops discovered the body of a 24-year-old herder identified as Abubakar Mudi, who had sustained gunshot wounds.
Other herders told the troops that about 30 cows and 10 sheep were suspected to have been taken by the attackers during the incident.
The troops have since commenced tracking operations to locate the suspected rustlers, recover the stolen livestock and arrest the perpetrators.
